Some Sweat, No Tears........

Last night was the first night of my 12-week training program at my local YMCA. My trainer is a cute, young guy who I'll call 'CK.' At our initial meeting, CK seemed to be a lil nervous and wet behind the ears. I could tell he was new to the personal training arena so I did ask him how long has he been at it. He said he's been doing it for just about 6 months and is currently in school for a career in the medical field. He was smart enough to include in our conversation, the fact that 'one woman I train has lost 20 lbs in 7 weeks'. He also let me know that my success was more on me than on him by telling me that there are other classes/trainers available on the days I don't meet with him. So, to optimize my results, I might want to consider doing more than what he will require of me. We'll see about that, young man.



So, I was about 10 minutes late to our training session but I got right down to business when I got there. I started off with the treadmill, which seemed to be too easy at first. I increased my speed three times (only to have to scale back the last time....lol) and finally began to break a sweat. By the end of the 33 minutes, I had walked a little over a mile, which isn't too shabby for someone who comes nowhere close to the recommended 10, 000 steps per day. After the treadmill, I did circuit strength training for 45 minutes, targeting every area on my body. I felt pretty good when I was done, which was actually cause for a pause. Why am I NOT sore, I wondered? After a few hours, I did begin to feel a dull ache in my thighs and biceps so I figured I'd surely be in great pain on the wakeup. However, when I got out of bed this morning, my body was not as sore as I thought it would be. I thought my muscles would be stiff as boards and I'd be on the verge of tears from the pain. But, not so. I've been feeling mild pain in all the targeted muscles and a moderate burn in my back (which I hope a massage from the honey will take care of tonight) but I have been getting around just fine. It makes me wonder if CK is going a little too easy on me or if Ms. KIA (KnowItAll) just needs to relax and let the man do his job. I guess, time will tell.

The Beginning Of The End.......

For a long time, (I know) my friends & family have wanted me to lose weight. I'm sure some of them have prayed, on many occasions, to the 'fat-blasting gods' to come and take this fat away. I can tell, by some of the looks I get and, the looks I don't get, that they wish I would take this fat suit off already. But no one has wanted it more than I have. 'You didn't REALLY want it,' is probably what you're saying inside your head. But, really, I did...and I do. For anyone who has had to lose more than 20 lbs., let alone my goal of 100, they know losing weight is just as much, if not more than, a mental battle as it is a physical fight. Physically, I know what to do and I am very capable of doing it. Once I get moving, it's on. Mentally, however, it has been a constant struggle. The main thing I've learned in my 17 plus years of battling the bulge is that I can't do this for anyone else and a quick-fix ain't the way. Dropping the pounds to gain the love, adoration, attraction, attention and affection from a man or woman is not a sustainable reason. That kind of weight loss lasts about as long as a May-December romance, if that. Taking the weight off by drinking shakes, taking pills or by way of a starvation diet is only a set up for a big ass 'F.' So, I'm happy to say that I am approaching this round with only weapons of healthy eating and exercising (with the assistance of a personal trainer) and I'm in it to win it for ME......starting today.

For the past three weeks, I've been keeping a food diary of (almost) everything I eat, on a daily basis. I don't have any weird cravings or unique tastes but I do have two very bad habits: eating out and eating late. So, those are the 2 things I'm working on changing in the next 3 weeks. Along with that, today is the first day of my 12-week exercise program. I've been talking to myself all day, chasing away that 'excuse-demon' who lives inside my head. Today marks the beginning of the end of the 'pretty fat caterpillar'..... this black butterfly is ready to spread her wings and soar.......................

Alas, my journey has begun!